TRIBUTES have poured in after a popular Maldon radio presenter who worked in Essex’s blues music scene died.

Saint FM presenter Mike Lightfoot died last week of a suspected heart attack.

Described as a gentle man with a passion for music, Mike worked on the Maldon radio station and as house DJ at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club in Billericay for ten years.

Blues at the Barns organiser Tim Aves said: “How very sad and shocking to hear this morning of the death, from a heart attack, of my dear old pal and fellow blues DJ Mike Lightfoot.

“In the dozen or so years I knew him, Mike never enjoyed the best of health - indeed, he had a history of heart trouble.

“All the same, this news is truly shocking.

“Only last Friday he was standing at the back at the Chris Corcoran gig in Maldon, seemingly on fine form and loving every minute of the show.

“Mike was a thoroughly good man and a true music fan who supported live music, going to two or three gigs a week.

“He was equally a lover of blues and rock, with an encyclopaedic knowledge and an incredible CD collection.

“It was through his DJ-ing between band sets there that he came to broadcasting.

“When I needed someone to cover my blues show on Saint FM, Mike jumped at the chance.

“A lesser man might have regarded a troublesome stammer as a barrier to broadcasting, but not Mike.

“He took it in his stride and his passion for the music shone through.

“He went on to take over the show, then add a two-hour rock show to his on-air accomplishments.

“He was broadcasting for a marathon four-hour stint each Sunday by the time Saint came off the air earlier this year.

“Away from music, Mike was, among other things, a diligent and passionate trade union official, a good socialist, an ardent European and a massively dedicated Southend United fan.”

Crawdaddy club promoter Paul Dean added: “Mike first attended the New Crawdaddy Blues Club as a punter back in 2006, fulfilling his love for live music, and became a regular attendee and supporter of the club from that time onwards.

“When our regular MC and disc spinner, fellow DJ Ashwyn Smyth, left to retire to France in June 2008, Mike volunteered to fill that role and has been a valued member of the New Crawdaddy crew ever since.

“In that time, he has become an ever present at many gigs far and wide in his desire to support every form of live music and, as a result, has made a vast number of like-minded friends due to his in-depth knowledge of music, his passion and enthusiasm for the art and his infectious sense of humour.

“He will be sadly missed, not just as a valued member of the crew, but as the genuinely nice man that has become good friends with everyone involved in the music community.

“The world is a sadder and poorer place today without Mike Lightfoot.”